Container

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a bin having an open end; a bag mounting ring mounted inside a perimeter of the bin adjacent to the open end; a handle, having two ends that extend inside and are coupled by pivots to inside walls of the bin, and a top bar that fits inside the bin when the handle is closed; wherein the bag mounting ring comprises offset ring portions that are configured to clear the handle when the handle is closed. In another embodiment, an apparatus comprises a bin having a floor, side walls and an open end; a bag mounting ring mounted inside a perimeter of upper wall portions of the bin adjacent to the open end; a lid that is movable on pivots on the upper wall portions, wherein the lid fits over and at least partially covers the ring when the lid is closed.

BENEFIT CLAIM

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of UnitedStates provisional patent application, number to be supplied byamendment, mailed and intended to be filed on Jan. 15, 2011, entitled“ICAN, LLC WASTE BUCKET” and filed pro se by named inventor AnneMorrissey and naming as inventors Carolyn Yecies Heller, Branko Lukic,Anne Ballinger Morrissey, and Steve Takayama, the entire contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fullyset forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to containers. The disclosurerelates more specifically to containers for temporarily holding wastematerials or materials intended for other uses such as recycling.

BACKGROUND

The approaches described in this section are approaches that could bepursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previouslyconceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it shouldnot be assumed that any of the approaches described in this sectionqualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in thissection.

Municipalities are increasingly requesting or requiring customers torecycle new kinds of household waste such as food scraps. Typicallyconsumers collect food scraps in a container in the kitchen or otherfood preparation area and then transport the container to a curbsidecollection bin shortly before a scheduled time for collection of thecontents of the bin.

Waste disposal containers are typically formed as buckets with orwithout handles and with or without lids. These designs fill a need, butalso create problems for users when users transport and dump thecontents. Typical waste disposal containers also are structured with themajority of their functional parts, such as the handle, on the exterior.Such an arrangement typically results in an unattractive appearance; thehandle or other external functional parts may create obstacles forstorage, or opportunities for breakage or entanglement with otherobjects in the environment. Typical waste disposal containers also arecomplex to use. Some users require a bag in the container, while forother users factors such as ease of placement, secure placement andremoval are important. Still other users need a way to separatedifferent kinds of contents within a given container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention may be summarized based upon the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container apparatus of one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a container apparatus of oneembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a container apparatus of oneembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of a container apparatus of oneembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a container apparatus of one embodimentwith lid closed;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a container apparatus of oneembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a section view taken on lines A-A of FIG. 17;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a container apparatus of one embodimentshowing lid closed and carry handle partially raised;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a container apparatus of one embodimentshowing lid closed and carry handle fully raised;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a container apparatus of one embodimentshowing lid open and carry handle down and with a bag mounting ringomitted or removed;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a container apparatus of one embodimentshowing lid open and carry handle down and with a bag mounting ringinstalled;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a container apparatus of one embodimentshowing lid open and carry handle down and with a bag mounting ringinstalled and pivoted upward in a first direction;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a container apparatus of one embodimentshowing lid open and carry handle down and with a bag mounting ringinstalled and pivoted upward in a second direction;

FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of a container apparatus of oneembodiment showing detail of a carry handle pivot and tilted bagmounting ring;

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of a container apparatus of oneembodiment showing detail of a tilted bag mounting ring;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an upper end of a container apparatusof one embodiment showing details of pivots for a bag mounting ring andfor a lid;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a container apparatus of one embodimentwith lid omitted to illustrate interior details;

FIG. 18 illustrates four (4) views A, B, C, D of an example carry handleand comprising a perspective view (A), end elevation view (B), top planview (C), and side elevation view (D);

FIG. 19 illustrates four (4) views A, B, C, D of an example bag mountingring and comprising a top plan view (A), end elevation view (B), sideelevation view (C), and perspective view (D).

The drawings are not rendered to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however,that the present invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thepresent invention.

1.0 Overview

In an embodiment, a container comprises a bin, a concealable handle, apivoting bag mounting ring that is positioned within and spaced apartfrom the handle, and a pivoting lid that is closable within the handleand providing means for ventilating contents of the bin.

In an embodiment, two or more upper wall portions of the bin comprise aninwardly extending lip and wherein the bag mounting ring is seated onthe lips. In an embodiment, the bag mounting ring comprises outwardlyextending pins that are snugly engaged in the pivots on the inside wallsof the bin. In an embodiment, the pins are formed at midpoints of sidering portions of the bag mounting ring and are configured to permit thebag mounting ring to pivot upwardly or downwardly within the bin.

In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a movable lid havingpivot mouths that snugly engage pivot rods formed in an upper wallportion of the bin, wherein the lid is configured to fit inside thehandle and over the bag mounting ring when the lid and the handle areclosed. In an embodiment, the lid is formed having at least oneperimeter dimension that is smaller than an inside dimension of the openend and defining a ventilation gap between the bin and the lid when thelid is closed. In an embodiment, the pivots are offset from a rear edgeof the lid.

In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a non-movable grabhandle formed integrally with and extending outwardly from an upperportion of a rear side wall of the bin. In an embodiment, the grabhandle comprises end arms formed integrally with the upper portion andcomprising pivot rods, and the apparatus further comprises a pivotinglid having pivot mouths that snugly engage the pivot rods, wherein thelid is configured to fit inside the handle and over the ring when thelid and the handle are closed.

In an embodiment, the grab handle comprises an upper rear edge that isconfigured to stop rearward pivoting of the lid when the lid is open. Inan embodiment, the grab handle comprises a bottom edge defining an openregion that is configured to hang. In an embodiment, an elongated recessis in an upper rear edge of the grab handle and a corresponding fingergrip ridge is formed on a grip position of the grab handle.

In an embodiment, an apparatus, comprises a bin having a floor, sidewalls and an open end; a bag mounting ring mounted inside a perimeter ofupper wall portions of the bin adjacent to the open end; a lid that ismovable on pivots on the upper wall portions, wherein the lid fits overand at least partially covers the ring when the lid is closed.

In an embodiment, each upper wall portion of the bin comprises one ormore inwardly extending lips and wherein the bag mounting ring is seatedon the lips. In an embodiment, the bag mounting ring is mounted usingoutwardly extending pivot pins that are snugly engaged in pivots thatare formed on the inside walls of the bin. In an embodiment, the bagmounting ring is mounted using outwardly extending pivot pins that aresnugly engaged in pivots that are formed on the pivoting ends of thehandle. In an embodiment, the pins are formed at midpoints of side ringportions of the bag mounting ring and are configured to permit the bagmounting ring to pivot upwardly or downwardly within the bin.

In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a pivoting lid havingpivot mouths that snugly engage pivot rods formed in an upper wallportion of the bin, wherein the lid is configured to fit inside thehandle and over the bag mounting ring when the lid and the handle areclosed. In an embodiment, the lid has at least one perimeter dimensionthat is smaller than an inside dimension of the open end and defining aventilation gap between the bin and the lid when the lid is closed. Inan embodiment, the pivots are offset from a rear edge of the lid.

In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a non-pivoting grabhandle formed integrally with and extending outwardly from an upperportion of a rear side wall of the bin. In an embodiment, the grabhandle comprises end arms formed integrally with the upper portion andcomprising pivot rods, the apparatus further comprising a pivoting lidhaving pivot mouths that snugly engage the pivot rods, wherein the lidis configured to fit inside the handle and over the ring when the lidand the handle are closed. In an embodiment, the grab handle comprisesan upper rear edge that is configured to stop rearward pivoting of thelid when the lid is open.

In an embodiment, the grab handle comprises a bottom edge defining anopen region that is configured to hang. In an embodiment, the apparatusfurther comprises an elongated recess in an upper rear edge of the grabhandle and a corresponding finger grip ridge formed on a grip positionof the grab handle.

In an embodiment, a container comprises a bin, lid, handle and ring thatallow opening, filling and emptying the bin. In one embodiment, thecontainer can allow for the separation of different waste streams suchas food waste and garbage. In an embodiment as further detailed herein,the lid may be more easily opened than prior designs, more easily filledbecause of the lid design described herein, and easily emptied due tothe handle design.

In addition, in an embodiment the placement of a bag inside easier toaccomplish, more aesthetic and securely fixed in place by means of apivoting offset bag mounting ring as more further described herein. Thering may be flexible and may hold more than one bag. The ring may allowfor variable volume within the attached bag. The ring may be structuredin several different sizes and the overall perimeter size of the ring isnot critical to an embodiment.

The bag ring may be inside of the can, and as a result the ring mayallow the handle to be hidden. The bag ring or frame may be made of aminimum amount of material to accomplish secure bag placement. The bagring or frame may be attached to the can with a pivoting pin into aboss, a slot, a knob or simply rest on a step on the can inner surface.The boss or slot also can be formed in or as part of the pivoting endsof the carry handle. The inner ring may allow for ventilation of the canby means of an offset construction that forms a gap around a perimeterof the lid.

In an embodiment, a handle is structured and affixed in a manner thatpermits dumping the container using a single hand. The one hand dumphandle may be facilitated by the design of the inner ring because of itslocation inside of the bin.

In an embodiment, the lid is pivotally affixed in a manner that permitsthe lid to stay open on its own, with gravity, facilitating the use andfilling of the bucket.

The carry handle may be hidden from view when it is not in use.

In an embodiment, a bag mounting ring enables many desirable features ofthe apparatus such as a concealable carry handle and a grab handle thatis configured for one hand disposal operation. In an embodiment, the bagmounting ring comprises an open frame not coupled to or including aninner bucket that has sufficient physical strength and material tosecurely hold and retain a bag or liner in or to the container. In anembodiment, the bag mounting ring may be mounted in the container inseveral different ways, such as a pivoting pin that is snugly receivedin a boss, a slot, or a cantilever, which may be on inner walls of thebin or on a carry handle. In an embodiment, the bag mounting ring isseated inside the container on a step or lip that extends inwardly fromon the inner surface of the container.

In an embodiment, the bag mounting ring enables several desirablefeatures. For example, the bag mounting ring enables a user to achieve ahidden liner bag. When a liner bag is installed on the bag mounting ringand the lid of the container is closed, the bag may be entirely hiddenfrom view, which makes the container appear neat and attractive. Asanother example, because the liner bag does not over the outer rim ofthe bin, the container may comprise a carry handle just inside aperimeter of upper walls of the bin, resulting in a simple andattractive appearance.

Further, because the bag does not hang over the outer rim of the bin, agrab handle for one hand disposal may be integrated into the outer edgeof the bin. As yet another example, integrated ventilation is provided;because the bag can be attached away from the upper edge of the bin,ventilation can be incorporated using a gap between the lid and upperedges of upper walls of the bin, without perforating the lid of the can.This feature is desirable in part because a simplified look is achieved.

In an embodiment, the container comprises an integrated carry handlethat may be hidden from view when closed. One benefit of thisarrangement is that the container appears simple and elegant. In anembodiment, a top edge of the carry handle is seated in a correspondingrecess of a grab handle of a rear wall of the bin. In this arrangement,when closed, the handle remains visible to enable a user to rapidlylocate and access the handle. The handle when closed also does notinterfere with use or operation of the lid or bin when a user isdisposing of the contents of the bin. The handle is configured to remainaway from a path of the contents of the bin when the bin is emptied. Inparticular, in an embodiment, the handle cannot be positioned in frontof the lid and therefore it is not possible to pour or spill contents ofthe bin onto the handle.

In an embodiment, the container comprises a grab handle integrallyformed with a rear wall of the bin that facilitates intuitive one handeddisposal operations. In an embodiment, the grab handle is configured topermit a user to empty the bin with only one hand. The location of thegrab handle allows the user to open the lid with the thumb or otherfingers of a hand while holding the bin with the same hand. The grabhandle also allows the user to invert the bin while keeping the lid openwith the same hand. Use of the grab handle is also intuitive. Bygrabbing the grab handle in a natural way, the way to open the lidbecomes apparent to the user as the user's thumb naturally rests on anarea of the lid that may be pressed to open the lid.

In an embodiment, the lid incorporates a tab or other protrusion thatoverhangs the front edge of the bin. By lifting up on the tab, the lidcan be opened. The lid is easy to open because there is no latch;instead, the lid stays closed by gravity. When the lid is in the openposition, it also stays open by gravity. When open, the lid rests in aposition just past the point of balance, and therefore, the lid is easyto close by tapping the lid, nudging the lid, or shaking the bin. Inanother embodiment, the lid may omit a tab but may extend beyond thefront edge of the bin, and the region of the lid that extends beyond thefront edge of the bin may be used to lift the lid.

In an embodiment, the container incorporates visually integratedventilation. In an embodiment, ventilation of the bin is achieved usinga specified gap between the lid and the upper edge of upper side wallsof the bin. Because the bag liner is attached away from the edge of thebin, a gap may be defined between the lid and the bin. The gap allowsair to circulate and reduces undesirable odor buildup, which can occurin other containers when the contents are foods that undergo anaerobicdecomposition while in a sealed container. The ventilation does notrequire perforations in the lid. The lid is simple in appearance and iseasy to clean.

2.0 Example Mechanical Configuration

An example container apparatus is now described with reference to theexamples shown in the drawings.

TABLE OF PARTS AND ELEMENTS The following reference numerals identifythe following elements:  2 bin  4 open end  6 bag mounting ring  8inside upper perimeter of bin 10 carry handle 11 side arms of carryhandle 12 end of carry handle 14 pivot for carry handle 16 inside wallof bin 18 top bar of carry handle 20 offset ring portion 21 rear ringportion 22 upper wall portion of bin 24 inwardly extending lip 26outwardly extending pins on ring 28 pivots for bag mounting ring 30ventilation gap of lid 32 grab handle 34 lid 36 pivot mouth 38 bottomedge of grab handle 40 elongated recess 42 upper rear edge of grabhandle 44 finger grip ridge 46 floor of bin 48 side wall of bin 50 frontwall of bin 52 curved transition of side wall 53 lifting tab of lid 54rear wall of bin 54′ obtuse angle at which floor 56 midpoint meets rearwall 58 side ring portion 60 pivot rod 66 curved transition 68 rear grabhandle wall 70 curved edge 72 gap 74 badge 76 pivot boss 78 edge of bagmounting ring 80 retaining clip 82 slot in upper rear wall 84 side ringportion 86 transitions in ring 88 front ring portion

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container apparatus. In general acontainer apparatus, in one embodiment, comprises a bin 2 having a floor46, front wall 50, side walls 48, and rear wall 54 defining an openupper end 4 that may be closed by a movable lid 34. Each of the floorand walls 50, 48, 54 may be generally planar and formed usingthermoplastics, such as injection molded plastics that produceintegrally formed parts, or wood, metals, composites, glass, or othermaterials. In an embodiment, front wall 50 joins side walls 48 usingintegral smoothly curved transitions 52 whereas rear wall 54 joins theside walls at a more sharply defined angle which may be a right angle.

In an embodiment, floor 46 joins rear wall 54 at an acute angle 54′; theparticular measurement of the angle is not critical but an angle ofapproximately 70 degrees could be used. Further, in an embodiment floor46 joins front wall 50 at a complementary obtuse angle so that the bin 2as a whole has a forward thrusting appearance. The forward thrustingappearance in part provides a distinctive ornamental design that is notpurely functional or required for the functionality of the otherfeatures herein. For example, the bin 2 could be cylindrical or ovalwith partially linear sections to support the handle, bag mounting ring,or other features that are described herein as wall mounted.

In an embodiment, lid 34 comprises an attached or integrally formedgenerally planar lifting tab 53 that extends outwardly from the lid 34beyond a plane of the front wall 50. In this arrangement, grasping andupwardly moving the lifting tab 53 may cause the lid 34 to move upwardand to open by pivoting on pivots located on a rear portion of the lidand engaging a corresponding pivot rod formed in an upper portion of therear wall, in a manner that is further described and illustrated herein.

In an embodiment, side walls 48 are joined by smoothly curved transitionsegments 66 to a grab handle 32 that extends along a rear portion of thebin and above rear wall 54. Grab handle 32 is further defined by a reargrab handle arm or wall 68 that extends along an entire rear portion ofthe bin and is separated from rear wall 54 at its bottom edge 38 therebydefining a hanger by which the bin may hang on a separate wall.

For example, a user could install a plurality of spaced apart fastenerssuch as screws on a wall of a kitchen, pantry, garage or other generallyvertical planar surface and then hang the bin 2 on the fasteners byplacing bottom edge 38 of grab handle 32 on the fasteners. Thus, thegrab handle 32 may also serve as convenient means for hanging the bin.

In an embodiment, the container apparatus includes a movable carryhandle 10 that is concealable below the lid 34 when the carry handle isin a down position. Carry handle 10 includes a finger grip ridge 44 at agrip position of the carry handle that protrudes upwardly and outwardlybehind the lid 34 and rests in an elongated recess 40 formed in an upperportion of the rear grab handle wall 68.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a container apparatus of oneembodiment. In FIG. 2, front wall 50 may be seen as smoothly joined bytransitions 52 to side walls 48. Lid 34 is illustrated in the closedposition with carry handle 10 down and partially concealed under the lidsuch that only side portions and finger grip edge 44 of the carry handleare visible. In FIG. 2 side ring portions 58 of a bag mounting ring maybe seen; the bag mounting ring is further described herein.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a container apparatus of oneembodiment. FIG. 3 further clarifies that in an embodiment, floor 46joins rear wall 54 at the acute angle 54′ and the floor joins front wall50 at a complementary obtuse angle so that the bin 2 as a whole has aforward thrusting appearance.

FIG. 3 further shows that grab handle 32 may be integrally formed withside walls 48 and may be defined by a curved edge 70 that transitionsthe grab handle to rear wall 54. In this arrangement the bin 2 may belifted and carried using a single hand by placing the fingers under edge38 and in a gap 72 formed between rear grab handle wall 68 and rear wall54 of the bin.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of a container apparatus of oneembodiment. FIG. 4 further illustrates the structure of grab handle 32,which may join side walls 48 using smoothly curved transitions 66 thatdefine curved edges 70. In this view gap 72 is apparent beneath the grabhandle 32 and under its bottom edge 38. Placing the fingers of a user'shand in gap 72 typically causes the palm to rest against grab handle 32and the thumb to rest over finger grip ridge 44 and an upper rear edge42 of the grab handle, which is thereby retained in a closed positionagainst recess 40.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a container apparatus of one embodimentwith lid closed. FIG. 5 illustrates that when lid 34 is closed and carryhandle 10 is in a down position, side arms 11 of the carry handle restinside an interior perimeter of upper portions of side walls 48 and grabhandle 32 thereby providing almost complete concealment of the handle.Finger grip edge 44 of the handle 10 remains visible at the rear of thebin 2 so that a user can rapidly locate and lift the carry handle.

A bag mounting ring 6 is also seated within an inside upper perimeter 8of upper portions of the side walls and front wall 50. Bag mounting ring6 comprises offset ring portions 20 that clear the carry handle arms 11when the handle is down. Both the bag mounting ring 6 and ends 12 of thecarry handle 10 may be affixed to interior upper portions of side walls48 using a common pivot, details of which are further illustratedherein.

In this arrangement the carry handle 10 may be lifted upwardly or moveddownwardly by pivoting motion of ends 12 on the side pivots, and the bagmounting ring 6 may be separately or concurrently lifted upwardly ordownwardly to facilitate installing or removing a bag or liner. The bagmounting ring 6 in this arrangement is positioned adjacent to upper wallportions 22 of the bin 2 as best seen in FIG. 11.

Further, in this arrangement the lid 34 is formed having perimeterdimensions that are smaller than the upper perimeter or open end 4 ofthe bin 2 to define a perimeter ventilation gap 30 at adjacent to alledges of the lid. The lid 34 does not fall downward into the open end 4because tab 53 acts as a stop and because an inside surface of the lidrests on portions of the bag mounting ring. In other embodiments, thelid 34 may omit the tab 53 and may extend outwardly beyond the upperperimeter or open end of the bin 2 so that the over-extending region ofthe lid provides a lifting surface and also prevents the lid fromfalling downwardly into the bin. In this disclosure, all references totab 53 are intended to broadly include the alternative embodiment inwhich lid 34 omits a tab and instead has a size or region that extendsbeyond the perimeter of the bin 2.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a container apparatus of oneembodiment. FIG. 6 may further clarify a relationship of rear wall 54 tograb handle 32 and gap 72, which may receive fingers of a hand forone-handed lifting of the bin 2. FIG. 6 further shows carry handle 10comprising top bar 18 joined to or integrally formed with handle arms12, which terminate at their ends in generally circular holes or pivots14. Handle 10 incorporates finger grip ridge 44 that may rest inelongated recess 40 of the grab handle 32 when the handle is closed.Pivots 14 may be affixed to corresponding pivot bosses 76 on the insidewalls 16 of side walls 48 using a snap fit arrangement or otherfasteners such as screws, rivets, or press-fit retainers.

Bag mounting ring 6 comprises a generally quadrilateral integrallyformed ring having offset ring portions 20 that clear the handle 10 whenthe handle is closed. Bag mounting ring 6 may comprise outwardlyextending pins 26 that may snugly fit into pivot bosses 76 over andthrough pivots 14 of the carry handle 10 such that the bag mounting ringis mounted within the handle. Thus pins 26 and pivot bosses 76 whenmounted together collectively act as pivots 28 for the bag mounting ring6. Pins 26 may be formed generally near midpoints of side portions ofthe bag mounting ring to facilitate balanced movement or pivoting of thebag mounting ring as further illustrated and described. Alternatively,in an embodiment, the bag mounting ring is mounted using outwardlyextending pivot pins that are snugly engaged in pivots that are formedon the pivoting ends 12 of the carry handle 10.

Bag mounting ring 6 may comprise an outwardly extending ridge 78 alongan entire perimeter of the ring to provide rigidity and strength for thering, and the ridge may be friction fitted into a plurality of inwardlyextending lips 24 when the ring is in the bin 2. In this arrangement thefriction connection of ridge 78 into lips 24 retains the bag mountingring 6 in alignment with upper edges of the side walls 48, but permitsthe ring to be rotated or moved on the pivot pins 26 by gently urgingthe ring upwardly or downwardly against and beyond lips 24.

Optionally, bag mounting ring 6 may include one or more bag retainingclips 80 that protrude downwardly and include a narrow slot into whichexcess bag material may be gathered and cinched to snugly retain the bagin position on the ring.

Lid 34 may include a badge 74 that is printed or colored with indiciasuch as a brand name and may be attached to tab 53 using adhesive orother means of affixation.

Operational aspects of an embodiment based on the preceding descriptionmay be further understood with reference to FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10,FIG. 11, FIG. 12, and FIG. 13, which illustrate an embodiment in variouscombinations of positions of the carry handle, lid, and bag mountingring. For example, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a container apparatusof one embodiment showing lid closed and carry handle partially raised.

The structural arrangement described above enables the handle 10 to belifted using finger grip edge 44 or other means and raised above theclosed lid 34 without interfering with the lid or the bag mounting ring,which is concealed in FIG. 8. Ends 12 of the carry handle 10 extendbetween the perimeter edges of the lid 34 and inside the side walls 48to rotate on pivot bosses 76, which are concealed in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a container apparatus of one embodimentshowing lid closed and carry handle fully raised and illustrating thesame structural relationships as described above for FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a container apparatus of one embodimentshowing lid open and carry handle down and with a bag mounting ringomitted or removed. FIG. 10 shows that lid 34 may comprise a pair ofpivot mouths 36 formed in one end of the lid. The pivot mouths 36 engageand are snugly retained against one or more pivot rods that are formedadjacent to an upper edge of rear wall 54 of bin 2. A snap fit of thepivot mouths to the pivot rods may be used to facilitate assembly. Thepivot mouths 36 may be formed at a position that is inwardly offset froma rear edge of the lid 34 so that when the lid is opened, a rear portionof the lid rotates into a portion of the gap 72 that is formed betweenrear wall 54 of bin 2 and rear grab handle wall 68.

In an embodiment, rear wall 54 may incorporate slots 82 that receive andact as stops for arms 12 of carry handle 10 when the carry handle isdown.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a container apparatus of one embodimentshowing lid open and carry handle down and with a bag mounting ringinstalled. FIG. 11 shows that in an embodiment, bag mounting ring 6 maymount on the same pivot bosses 76 on which ends 12 of the carry handlerotate, and the bag mounting ring is positioned inside the carry handleends and inside the side walls 48, front wall 50, and rear wall 54 ofbin 2. In particular, a rear ring portion 21 of bag mounting ring 6rests nearly adjacent to rear wall 54.

Perimeter edge 78 is snugly retained in inwardly extending lips 24 butstill allows the bag mounting ring 6 to be moved upwardly or downwardlywithin the bin 2 and without interfering with the carry handle. Forexample, FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a container apparatus of oneembodiment showing lid open and carry handle down and with a bagmounting ring installed and pivoted upward in a first direction. FIG. 13is a perspective view of a container apparatus of one embodiment showinglid open and carry handle down and with a bag mounting ring installedand pivoted upward in a second direction. FIG. 12, FIG. 13 illustratethat movement of the bag mounting ring is independent of the carryhandle and provides great flexibility for the user in mounting orremoving a bag or liner.

FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of a container apparatus of oneembodiment showing detail of a carry handle pivot and tilted bagmounting ring. FIG. 14 shows that lid 34 having pivot mouths 36 that aresnugly retained against pivot rods, not visible in FIG. 15, formed underor extending from upper end corners 84 of rear wall 54. Ends 12 of carryhandle 10 are seated in slots 82 of the upper part of rear wall 54.

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of a container apparatus of oneembodiment showing detail of a tilted bag mounting ring. FIG. 15 showsthat bag mounting ring 6 may be tilted upward while rotating on the samepivot bosses 76 on which pivots 14 of ends 12 of the carry handlerotate. Edge 78 of the bag mounting ring 6 may be retained by frictionin the inwardly extending lips 24.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an upper end of a container apparatusof one embodiment showing details of pivots for a bag mounting ring andfor a lid. FIG. 16 is a rearward side view toward an inside upperportion of a side wall 48. FIG. 16 shows, on inside walls 16 of bin 2,pivot bosses 76 that may concurrently bear the outwardly extending pins26 of the bag mounting ring 26 and the pivots 14 of the carry handle 10,both of which are omitted for clarity. Example details of rear wall 54may be seen including slots 82 that may receive arms of the carryhandle. Pivot rods 60 may be formed in or extend from upper end corners84 of rear wall 54.

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a container apparatus of one embodimentwith lid omitted to illustrate interior details. FIG. 17 is a downwardview through an open end 4 of bin 2 and toward floor 46. FIG. 17 shows,on inside walls 16 of bin 2, pivot bosses 76 that may concurrently bearthe outwardly extending pins 26 of the bag mounting ring 26 and thepivots 14 of the carry handle 10, both of which are omitted for clarity.Example details of rear wall 54 may be seen including slots 82 that mayreceive arms of the carry handle. Pivot rods 60 may be formed in orextend from upper end corners 84 of rear wall 54. A position of gap 72is defined between rear wall 54 and grab handle 32.

FIG. 7 is a section view taken on lines A-A of FIG. 17 in a rotatedorientation such that open end 4 of bin 2 is at the left of the view andfloor 46 is oriented vertically at the right of the view. FIG. 7 showsgap 72 between grab handle 32 and rear wall 54. FIG. 7 shows pivot boss76 on an inside wall 16 of a side wall, pivot rods 60 formed at rearwall 54 and inwardly extending lips 24 for retaining the bag mountingring, which is omitted for purposes of clarity.

FIG. 18 illustrates four (4) views A, B, C, D of an example carry handleand comprising a perspective view (A), end elevation view (B), top planview (C), and side elevation view (D). In all the views, FIG. 18 showsan example carry handle 10 comprising side arms 11 and ends 12integrally formed with or joined to top bar 18, which further comprisesan outwardly extending finger grip ridge 44. Ends 12 terminate in pivots14 to engage pivot bosses 76 of the bin 2.

FIG. 19 illustrates four (4) views A, B, C, D of an example bag mountingring and comprising a top plan view (A), end elevation view (B), sideelevation view (C), and perspective view (D). In all the views, FIG. 19shows an example bag mounting ring 6 comprising offset ring portions 20joined to or integrally formed with a rear ring portion 21 and side ringportions 84 that may use smoothly curved transitions 86 to join a frontring portion 88.

Pins 26 may be formed generally near midpoints of side portions of thebag mounting ring to facilitate balanced movement or pivoting of the bagmounting ring as further illustrated and described.

In this arrangement, when mounted in the bin 2, front ring portion 88 isgenerally adjacent to an inside of the front wall 50 and side ringportions 84 are generally adjacent to insides 16 of side walls 48. Theoffset ring portions 20 clear side arms 11 of the carry handle when thecarry handle is closed and outwardly extending pins 26 may rotate inpivot bosses 76 to permit moving the ring 6.

3.0 Other Embodiments, Extensions and Improvements

Certain embodiments illustrated and described herein are shown ascomprising the combination fundamentally of bin 2, lid 34, carry handle10, and bag mounting ring 6. However, other embodiments may omit one ormore of these elements. For example, one embodiment may comprise bin 2,lid 34, and carry handle 10 while omitting the bag mounting ring 6; thisembodiment may be appropriate for applications that do not need a bag orliner. Another embodiment may comprise bin 2, lid 34, and bag mountingring 6 while omitting the carry handle 10. Another embodiment maycomprise bin 2, carry handle 10 while omitting the bag mounting ring 6and lid 34. Another embodiment may comprise bin 2, and bag mounting ring6 while omitting the carry handle 10 and lid 34.

Yet another embodiment may comprise bin 2, with or without carry handle10, with or without lid 34, and omitting bag mounting ring 6 butadditionally including a plurality of inwardly protruding features oninside walls of the bin that will hold a bag. The protruding featuresmay comprise hangers for a bag. The bag could also be a custom bagspecifically designed to work with bin 2. An embodiment that usesinterior bag hangers or other protruding features for grasping orholding a bag may be desirable because it eliminates a part and reducescomplexity of use because one can use it with or without a bag withoutmaking a decision to remove or otherwise reconfigure the bin; cost mayalso be reduced.

Certain embodiments have been illustrated and described as having aventilated lid 34. In another embodiment, lid 34 may form a snug sealover bin 2, or the lid may incorporate holes, mesh, screen, or othermeans for ventilation. Any such embodiment may include carry handle 10or bag mounting ring 6, or both the carry handle 10 and bag mountingring.

In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have beendescribed with reference to numerous specific details that may vary fromimplementation to implementation. Thus, the sole and exclusive indicatorof what is the invention, and is intended by the applicants to be theinvention, is the set of claims that issue from this application, in thespecific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequentcorrection. Any definitions expressly set forth herein for termscontained in such claims shall govern the meaning of such terms as usedin the claims. Hence, no limitation, element, property, feature,advantage or attribute that is not expressly recited in a claim shouldlimit the scope of such claim in any way. The specification and drawingsare, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than arestrictive sense.

For example, all parts described herein may be formed or manufactured inany of several different kinds of materials including plastic, metal orwood materials. Embodiments are not limited to holding waste, but may beused for holding or containing any material that can be contained ordisposed, or benefit from the disposal in this manner. For example,embodiments may be used for recyclable materials, parts, toys, foods,animal feed, or other materials that are edible, inert, or bulk.

1. An apparatus, comprising: a bin having an open end; a bag mountingring mounted inside a perimeter of the bin adjacent to the open end; ahandle, having two ends that extend inside and are coupled by pivots toinside walls of the bin, and a top bar that fits inside the bin when thehandle is closed; wherein the bag mounting ring comprises offset ringportions that are configured to clear the handle when the handle isclosed.
 2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein two or more upperwall portions of the bin comprise an inwardly extending lip and whereinthe bag mounting ring is seated on the lips.
 3. The apparatus recited inclaim 1 wherein the bag mounting ring comprises outwardly extending pinsthat are snugly engaged in the pivots on the inside walls of the bin. 4.The apparatus recited in claim 3 wherein the pins are formed atmidpoints of side ring portions of the bag mounting ring and areconfigured to permit the bag mounting ring to pivot upwardly ordownwardly within the bin.
 5. The apparatus recited in claim 1 furthercomprising a movable lid having pivot mouths that snugly engage pivotrods formed in an upper wall portion of the bin, wherein the lid isconfigured to fit inside the handle and over the bag mounting ring whenthe lid and the handle are closed.
 6. The apparatus recited in claim 5wherein the lid is formed having at least one perimeter dimension thatis smaller than an inside dimension of the open end and defining aventilation gap between the bin and the lid when the lid is closed. 7.The apparatus recited in claim 5 wherein the pivots are offset from arear edge of the lid.
 8. The apparatus recited in claim 1 furthercomprising a non-movable grab handle formed integrally with andextending outwardly from an upper portion of a rear side wall of thebin.
 9. The apparatus recited in claim 8 wherein the grab handlecomprises end arms formed integrally with the upper portion andcomprising pivot rods, the apparatus further comprising a pivoting lidhaving pivot mouths that snugly engage the pivot rods, wherein the lidis configured to fit inside the handle and over the ring when the lidand the handle are closed.
 10. The apparatus recited in claim 9 whereinthe grab handle comprises an upper rear edge that is configured to stoprearward pivoting of the lid when the lid is open.
 11. The apparatusrecited in claim 8 wherein the grab handle comprises a bottom edgedefining an open region that is configured to hang.
 12. The apparatusrecited in claim 8 further comprising an elongated recess in an upperrear edge of the grab handle and a corresponding finger grip ridgeformed on a grip position of the grab handle.
 13. An apparatus,comprising: a bin having a floor, side walls and an open end; a bagmounting ring mounted inside a perimeter of upper wall portions of thebin adjacent to the open end; a lid that is movable on pivots on theupper wall portions, wherein the lid fits over and at least partiallycovers the ring when the lid is closed.
 14. The apparatus recited inclaim 13 wherein each upper wall portion of the bin comprises one ormore inwardly extending lips and wherein the bag mounting ring is seatedon the lips.
 15. The apparatus recited in claim 13 wherein the bagmounting ring is mounted using outwardly extending pivot pins that aresnugly engaged in pivots that are formed on the inside walls of the bin.16. The apparatus recited in claim 16 wherein the pins are formed atmidpoints of side ring portions of the bag mounting ring and areconfigured to permit the bag mounting ring to pivot upwardly ordownwardly within the bin.
 17. The apparatus recited in claim 13 furthercomprising a pivoting lid having pivot mouths that snugly engage pivotrods formed in an upper wall portion of the bin, wherein the lid isconfigured to fit inside the handle and over the bag mounting ring whenthe lid and the handle are closed.
 18. The apparatus recited in claim 17wherein the lid has at least one perimeter dimension that is smallerthan an inside dimension of the open end and defining a ventilation gapbetween the bin and the lid when the lid is closed.
 19. The apparatusrecited in claim 17 wherein the pivots are offset from a rear edge ofthe lid.
 20. The apparatus recited in claim 13 further comprising anon-pivoting grab handle formed integrally with and extending outwardlyfrom an upper portion of a rear side wall of the bin.
 21. The apparatusrecited in claim 20 wherein the grab handle comprises end arms formedintegrally with the upper portion and comprising pivot rods, theapparatus further comprising a pivoting lid having pivot mouths thatsnugly engage the pivot rods, wherein the lid is configured to fitinside the handle and over the ring when the lid and the handle areclosed.
 22. The apparatus recited in claim 21 wherein the grab handlecomprises an upper rear edge that is configured to stop rearwardpivoting of the lid when the lid is open.
 23. The apparatus recited inclaim 20 wherein the grab handle comprises a bottom edge defining anopen region that is configured to hang.
 24. The apparatus recited inclaim 20 further comprising an elongated recess in an upper rear edge ofthe grab handle and a corresponding finger grip ridge formed on a gripposition of the grab handle.
 25. An apparatus, comprising: a bin havingan open end; a handle, having two ends that extend inside and arecoupled by pivots to inside walls of the bin, and a top bar that fitsinside the bin when the handle is in a downward position; a movable lidconfigured to fit inside the handle and over an open end of the bin whenthe lid and the handle are in downward or closed positions.